Town’s Twitter hour success a ‘surprise’

A TWITTER networking initiative has engaged more than 100 small businesses and reached nearly 60,000 accounts just weeks after launching.

Worthing Hour, set-up by Worthing-based Cuckoo Communications, sets aside 60 minutes every Wednesday evening for businesspeople to go online and make new business connections.

Cuckoo’s co-director Harriet Glover, 32, explained it was part of her strategy to ‘unite the town in 140 characters’.

She said: “Worthing Hour is all about carving out 60 minutes to give Worthing businesses and organisations the chance to connect, share and support each other.

“It’s one of the very best things we’ve done and I hope it goes from strength to strength because we’re on a mission to unite a town with 140 characters. “I love Worthing and any support for our local businesses - in whatever form - is a good thing.”

The level of engagement in the concept took Mrs Glover by surprise.

She said: “There was a real gap in the Twittersphere for Worthing businesses and we seized the opportunity to fill it.

“I had a feeling it would take off but even I have been surprised by how successful it has become in such a short time.

“We love social media and the power it has to connect people.”

The idea has captured the imagination of Herald business columnist and Straightforward Coaching owner Claire Bradford.

She found out about the zen doodling workshops, Joodles, through the initiative, and attended her first meeting last week.

She said: “It’s generally great to network. I am a big believer in it.

“But a lot of the time, people can’t get out to do it, so it is a great opportunity for people to network while sitting at home.”

She added: “I was really surprised how quickly it took off but it’s great to be part of the conversation.”

Cuckoo’s Worthing Hour networking can be participated in by using the hashtag #worthinghour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm every Wednesday.